Peak load limiter



Nov. 4, 1952 J. A. DEUBEL PEAK LOAD LIMITER Filed Sept. 10, 1949 2 Si'iEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR. JU5T|N A. DEUBE'L BY x W ATTORNEYS Nov. 4, 1952 J. A. DEUBEL 2,617,000

PEAK LOAD LIMITER Filed Sept. 10, 1949 2 SPEETS-SHEET 2 INVEN TOR.

JUSTIN A DELIBEL [1R 11k a MM ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,617,000 PEAK LOAD LlM ITE R Justin A. Deubel, Hales Corners, Wis., a s'signor to Perfex Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 10, 1949, Serial No. 115,040

2 Claims.

This invention concerns a type of protective apparatus for electric supply systems. Generally, it is an automatic electric demand controller to regulate the use of electric power by controlling the distribution of available capacity. More specifically, it is an object of this invention to limit the maximum amount of power used at any particular time to eliminate peak demands on the central supply station.

In the course of modern trends to complete electrification in the home, it has become a problem in central station operation to cope with the increasing number of peak demand periods that occur at certain hours of the day. This intermittent peak use requires the central station equipment to be of such' a size as to take care of the total maximum demand load even though it be of very short duration. To circumvent this difficulty various types of peak limiters have come into use with varying degrees of successful application. This invention concerns an improved type of peak limiter that is unique in construction, successful in performance and effects a complete control of the electric supply system.

In essence it represents an improvement on the type of thermal relay as shown in the Patent 2,302,399 to A. G. Stimson.

In this description by way of example, the peak limiter is described as controlling portions of domestic load equipments, where the controlled load consumes power at the off-peak moments only and thereby limits the maximum load of the supply system. This allows an uninterrupted use of other heavy current carrying equipment, such as ranges, space heaters and the like. In this description for the sake of clarity and by way of example, the main or preferred load is taken as a kitchen range and the secondary or controlled load is assumed to be an electric water heater. For example, the peak limiter is used to automatically disconnect the water heater (regardless of call for heat from the hot water heater thermostat) when all or some part of the main load reaches a predetermined limit of say 10 kw. and automatically reconnect the heater when power demand of the main load drops to, let us say, 2 kw.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the peak limiter and its mounting plate;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the assembly;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view taken along lines III- 11101 Fig. 1;

Fig. 4' is a sectional plan view taken along lines IVIV of Fig; 3;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram showing, a possible application of the peak limiter to a domestic system;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram showing an alternative method of application when a separate power supply circuit is required.

Referring now to Fig. 1,2 and 3, the peak limiter is shown generally at IU fastenedto a mounting base or plate H by suitable supports or brackets 52 and secured by screws 13. The peak limiter it] comprises an insulation base or switch plate !4 to which the various parts are attached. Essentially the peak limiter is composed ofth'ree bimetal strips and a switch. The bimetal I 5 is fastened, by brazing or soldering, to a stiff bracket is of conductive material. This bracket it is bent around the insulation block 14 and fastened underneath, on the opposite side from the bimetal i5 (see Figs. 2 and 4). The other outer bimetal ll is identical to bimetal l5 and is fastened to a stiff bracket is, similar in con.- struction and material to piece it. Both brackets {Band i3 furnish connections for current carrying conductors. The opposite ends of bimetals i5 and ii are also fastened to a conductive bracket i9 which allows current to flow from piece it, through bimetal l5, bracket l9, bimetal fl and out piece :3. The bracket I9 also serves as a support for aninsulation block 20 towhich the thirdbimetal 2i is attached. Note that the bracket I8 is a conductive bridge between bimetals i5 and H but the block 20 insulates bimetal 2! from the other two bimetals l5 and H. The bimetal 2! acts as the actuating arm' for the switch (to be later described) but is constructed of bimetal to compensate for ambient fluctuations which affect all three bimetals. Abutting bimetal 2i and supported by bracket E9 is an adjusting screw 22., This screw 22 enables the operator to adjust the distance between bimetal 2| and the bracket l9 to furnish a range adjustment forthe limiter. Because the'bimetal 21 is attached securely to the insulation block 20, any adjustment of screw 22 will affect the opposite end of bimetal 2| and change the position of the contact mechanism carried thereon.

Concentric with screw 22 and resting on collar 22A is a range indicating disc 23. Below disc 23 and collar 22A is a second disc 24 having a lobe portion 24A. The discs 23 and 24 are fastened together, but spaced by collar 22A, by screws 25. With this arrangement, when screws 25 are tightened, adjustment of screw 22 also revolves both discs 23 and 24. The movement of this assembly 22, 23 and 24 is limited by a stop and indicating pointer 25 which abuts the lobe 24A in either direction of rotation. Loosening the screws 25 will permit the operator to adjust the screw 22 independently of the discs 23 and. 24 and therefore allow a new range of operation when the screws 25 are re-tightened. This pro vides a means for calibration of the device.

The opposite end of bimetal 21 is securely fastened to a bracket 2? which flexibly holds a switch arm 28. The switch arm 23 is pivoted on the bracket 27 by means of two projections 29 and 29A of switch arm 28. The switch arm 28 is held in place after assembly by a downwardly turned portion 38 of the bracket 2?. This portion 33 abuts the projection 29A. Fastened to the switch arm 28 is a thin strip 3! of conductive material to which the movable contacts 32 and 3 4 are attached. Note that contact 32 is also secured to the switch arm 28 but contact 34 is attached only to the thin strip 3i. This arrangement of the switch contacts 32 and 34 allows for better switch contact break and make between the movable contacts 32 and S4 and the opposing stationary contacts 83 and 35, but forms no part of the present invention. The stationary contacts 33 and 35 are connected to conductive strips 37A and 3? respectively which are fastened to the insulation base Hi. 31A and 3? have projections extending through the base it to the opposite side thereof. Referring to Fig. 4, conductor 38 is attached to the projection of strip 3'5 and terminal 65 to the projection of 37A.

Thus, contact 33 is connected to the bimetal i5 by means of conductor 131A and bracket l6. Also contact 33 is connected to terminal 13 through conductor 36 and bracket i6. Terminal i3 is fastened to the base M by insulator ii. The contact 35 is connected to the conductor 38 through conductor 3?. This conductor 38 is attached at its other end to a terminal ii fastened to the base plate 5 i by insulation post 25. Leading from conductor bracket E8 of bimetal H is another conductor 39 which connects to a terminal ii fastened to the base plate by insulation post i=3 (Fig. l). A fourth terminal ii. is also fastened to the base plate H by insulation post 46 but is not connected to the limiter as shown in Fig. 5.

Referring now to Fig. 5 in which is shown a circuit diagram embodying one adaptation of the limiter to a load circuit. The peak limiter H3 is shown in miniature as viewed from the bottom of the mounting plate H. The range or similar load is shown at 52. The water heater load is shown at 53. The lead 68 from the power supply source is connected to terminal 63. Terminal :33, as stated before, is also connected to bimetal i5 through the connectors 36 and bracket i 5. Also, the bimetal bridge composed of bimetal i5, bracket i9, and bimetal i? is a current carrying path. The bimetal i'i connects to bracket i8, conductor 39 and to terminal 4-5]. Thus the bimetal bridge i5i 9i i is effectively across the terminals 49 and 43.

The circuit is now traced from the terminal "iii through conductor 6i, range a 52, conductor 62, conductor 63 and to the other side of the power supply, completing the range circuit. Thus the range load 55?. (when range switches are closed) and the bimetal bridge i5I9-ii are always in a closed circuit to the power source.

The circuit for the secondary or water heater These conductive strips 4 load can be traced as follows: Power source, con ductcr 63, conductor 64, water heater load 53, terminal ii (conductor 38, piece 31, contact 35, contact 35, strip 3i, switch arm 28, contact 32, contact 33, piece 31A, piece 36 to terminal 43- see Figs. 1 and 2), terminal 13, lead 60 and 50 back to the other side of the power supply line. Thus the switch contacts are effectively across the terminals ii and 43, and control the energization of the heater load.

Operation according to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as shown:

Due to the above mentioned wiring arrangement, it is apparent that under conditions when the water heater thermostat (not shown) is calling for heat and its contacts are closed, energization of the heater circuit can be attained by the closing of the switch contacts 32-43 and 3 3-435.

In the operation of the peak limiter, with the current adjustment screw 22 set at a current based upon the desired maximum current to be carried by the range load prior to cut out, any current flow through the range circuit less than the desired maximum will not operate the switch contacts from the closed position. However, the current flow through the range circuit will generate heat in the bimetals I5 and i7 causing them to flex downwardly but not sufficiently to actuate the contacts. It is to be noted that any movement or flexing of the bimetals i5 and it is communicated to the bracket end it of the structure and not to the stiff brackets it and i8. Thus the downward movements of bimetals i5 and Ii cause the insulator 2B and the bimetal 2i aflixed thereto to move in accordance with the bimetal movements and to tend to raise up the switch end 28 of bimetal 2 I.

However, if the housewife is using an amount of current on the range circuit that is in excess of the amount for which the current adjustment screw 22 is set, then the bimetals i5 and i? will flex downwardly carrying the insulator end of bimetal 2i downwardly and cause the switch contacts to snap open, opening the water heater circuit.

The contacts 32-34 and 3 iwill remain open as long as the bimetals i5 and I"! remain flexed downwardly. The bimetals remain flexed downwardly during such time as the heat generating current through bimetals l5 and I1 remains at the level set by the screw 22.

If the housewife shuts off the range or otherwise decreases the amount of current drain in the range circuit the bimetals iii-i'i will flex upwardly forcing the insulator end 29 of bimetal 2i upwardly until the magnet 6t (located beneath the switch arm bracket 2'?) snaps the contacts closed. Thus the heater circuit is again closed and ready for a demand for heat from the hot water thermostat (not shown). Therefore, it is obvious that any current flow in the range circuit in excess of a predetermined and set value will prohibit energization of the water heater circuit.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 4, in Fig. 6 is shown an alternative method of connecting the limiter when separate sources of supply are required for the range and heater load. In order for the limiter to function properly in this circuit it is necessary to cut away the projecting ear 59 from the conductor piece 36. Thus 59 is now only attached to the switch contact Conductor piece remains a part of the circuit to the bimeta-l i5 and the terminal post 51. A

conductor is now fastened from this ear 59 to the heretofore blank terminal post 42. The limiter is then ready for dual power supply operation. Note that in Fig. 6 the switch is effectively now across terminals 4| and 42 instead of across 4! and .3 as in Fig. 5.

The operation of the limiter is functionally the same as in Fig. 5. An excess of current through the range 52 circuit will heat the bimetals !5 and I! and open the switch contacts. The difference between the two circuits, Figs. 5 and 6, lies in the ability in Fig. 6 to use two separate power sources, such as 230 v. and 115 v. when different voltages are required.

Various modifications coming within the spirit of the invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and hence the invention is not to be limited to the specific form shown, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A switching mechanism for controlling a first circuit through said switching mechanism in response to the current carried by a second circuit through said switching mechanism comprising, a mounting base having terminal posts mounted thereon, a switch plate mounted on said base in spaced relation thereto, two U- shaped members mounted on said switch plate each having one leg extending along the underside of said switch plate and having means providing electrical connecting terminals thereon, the other legs of said members overlying said switch plate and spaced therefrom, said other legs each having rigidly secured thereto a bimetallic arm responsive to the heating effect of current fiow therethrough, said arms being coextensive, an electrical conducting bracket secured to the free ends of said arms, a flexible arm coextensive with said bimetallic arms and rigidly mounted on but electrically insulated from said bracket, contact means including a movable contact carried by the free end of said flexible arm and a fixed contact mounted on said switch plate for cooperation with said movable contact, means electrically connecting said terminal posts on said base with said terminals on said members and with said contact means whereby said bimetallic arms are connected in series with said second circuit and said contact means is con- 50 2,518,361

nected in series with said first circuit.

2. A switching mechanism for controlling a first circuit through said switching mechanism in response to the current carried by a second circuit through said switching mechanism comprising, a mounting base having terminal posts mounted thereon, a switch plate mounted on said base in spaced relation thereto, two U- shaped members mounted on said switch plate and each having one leg extending along the underside of said switch plate and having means providing electrical connecting terminals thereon, the other legs of said members overlying said switch plate and spaced therefrom, said other legs each having rigidly secured thereto a bimetallic arm responsive to the heating effect of current flowing therethrough, said arms being coextensive, an electrical conducting bracket secured to the free ends of said arms, a bimetallic compensating arm rigidly mounted on but electrically insulated from said bracket and coextensive with said first mentioned arms adapted to compensate for ambient temperature variations, means for adjustably positioning the free end of said compensating arm with respect to said bracket, snap-acting contact means including a bridging contact structure and an armature carried by the free end of said compensating arm, fixed contacts and a magnet mounted on said switch plate opposite said bridging contact structure and said armature respectively, and means electrically connecting said terminal posts on said base with said terminals on said members and with said fixed contacts whereby said first mentioned bimetallic arms are connected in series with said second circuit and said fixed contacts are connected in series with said first circuit.

JUSTIN A. DEUBEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,849,280 Chandler Mar. 15, 1932 2,280,960 Lee Apr. 28, 1942 2,284,333 Elmer May 26, 1942 2,460,837 Malone Feb. 8, 1949 Mosley Aug. 8, 1950 

